Electronic tool and method for copying a plurality of settings from a mechanical tool to another mechanical tool

ABSTRACT

An electronic tool for copying a plurality of settings from a first mechanical tool to a second mechanical tool comprises: a smart device having a processor, and having a non-transitory memory storing program instructions executable on the processor. The program instructions are configured, when executed on the processor, to: read the plurality of settings from the first mechanical tool; and write the plurality of settings to the second mechanical tool.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to mechanical tools and moreparticularly, but not exclusively, to a method and electronic tool forcopying a plurality of settings from a mechanical tool to anothermechanical tool.

BACKGROUND

Mechanical tools of various types, e.g., battery powered or electricallypowered mechanical tools for applying fasteners, remain an area ofinterest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings, drawbacks anddisadvantages relative to certain applications. For example, in somemechanical tools, settings, such as tool settings or other settings, aretime consuming to apply to a replacement mechanical tool in the event ofa failure of the original mechanical tool. Accordingly, there remains aneed for further contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique method for copying aplurality of settings from a first mechanical tool to a secondmechanical tool. Another embodiment is a unique electronic tool forcopying a plurality of settings from a first mechanical tool to a secondmechanical tool. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems,devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for copying a plurality ofsettings from a one mechanical tool to a another mechanical tool.Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantagesof the present application shall become apparent from the descriptionand figures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of amechanical tool in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of amechanical tool in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of anelectronic tool for copying settings from one mechanical tool to anothermechanical tool in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of amechanical tool communicatively coupled to the electronic tool of FIG. 3in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of ascreenshot of a graphical user interface touchscreen generated by theelectronic tool of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example ofnavigation/process flow of a method for copying settings from onemechanical tool to another in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of a highlevel functional block design diagram of an electronic tool, such as theelectronic tool of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of a sequencediagram for reading a plurality of settings from a mechanical tool usingan electronic tool in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of a sequencediagram for writing a plurality of settings to a mechanical tool usingan electronic tool in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of a sequencediagram for performing a factory reset of settings on a mechanical toolusing an electronic tool in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modificationsin the described embodiments, and any further applications of theprinciples of the invention as described herein are contemplated aswould normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, some aspects of a non-limiting example of amechanical tool 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. Mechanical tool 10 is a mechanical tool thatperforms mechanical tasks. The mechanical tool may be motorized. Forexample, in one form, mechanical tool 10 is a precision fastening tool,such as a powered torque driver or screw driver. In one form, mechanicaltool 10 is battery powered. In other embodiments, mechanical tool 10 maybe supplied with power from an electric grid. In various embodiments,mechanical tool 10 may be a handheld tool or may be fixed in place. Insome embodiments, mechanical tool 10 is an industrial mechanical toolused for industrial purposes, in contrast to a home-use tool. In otherembodiments, mechanical tool 10 may be a home-use tool.

Mechanical tool 10 includes a driver head 12, a switch 14, a controlpanel 16, a communication port 18 and a memory 20, e.g., located in orbeneath control panel 16, although memory 20 may be disposed at anysuitable location on or within mechanical tool 10. Communication port18, e.g., a USB, mini USB, micro USB or other communications port iscommunicatively coupled to control panel 16 and to memory 20.

Driver head 12 is operative to drive fasteners, e.g., up to a predefinedspeed and/or predefined torque values based on a plurality of settings(as used herein, “settings” includes settings and parameters), e.g.,stored in memory 20. In other embodiments, driver head 12 may take otherforms for performing any suitable mechanical function. Switch 14 isoperative to control the output of driver head 12, e.g., to turn driverhead 12 on or off. In some embodiments, switch 14 is a variable switch,and is constructed to vary the output, e.g., rotational speed, of driverhead 12. Driver head 12 is controlled by switch 14 based on theplurality of settings stored in memory 20. Some or all of the pluralityof settings may be displayed on a display panel 24 associated withcontrol panel 20. Some embodiments may not include a display 24. Thepresent invention is applicable to embodiments having a display 24 andto embodiments not having a display, such as display 24. Some or all ofthe plurality of settings may be stored in memory 20 by manual entryusing keys 22 on control panel 16. Alternatively, some or all of theplurality of settings may be transferred to memory 20 via communicationsport 18. Mechanical tool 10 includes a built-in wireless communicator ortransceiver 26 operative to communicate wirelessly, e.g., with awireless gateway 28, e.g., for network access to productioncontrol/reporting, the provision of tool 10 status, the adjustment ofmechanical tool 10 settings/parameters and other functions.

In some circumstances, mechanical tool 10 may not be available for use,e.g., due to maintenance, a mechanical failure, an electronic componentfailure or a motor failure, in which case it is desirable to use areplacement tool that has all or substantially all of the same settings.The total number of settings to program into the replacement mechanicaltool may exceed 100, depending on, for example, the complexity offastening steps and operations used in the production station wheremechanical tool 10 is being used. Although the settings may be enteredmanually, potential human error, e.g., related to typing the settings orfailing to update parameters may yield undesirable results. Also, manualentry of the settings may be time consuming, requiring the productionstation to be idle while the settings are programmed. In some cases, thesettings may be kept in an electronic document or hard-copy. However,the electronic document or hard copy may not have been kept up to date.In such circumstances, even if all the settings were entered correctly,the replacement mechanical tool 10 may not operate as expected if thereis data discrepancy between the failed tool and available document,i.e., discrepancy in the settings.

Some aspects of the present disclosure address the problem of copyingsettings from the original mechanical tool 10, e.g., a failed tool or atool that is receiving maintenance, to a replacement tool, quickly andreliably. The initial mechanical tool 10 may be referred to as thesource tool, and the replacement mechanical tool 10 may be referred toas the destination tool, since the settings are transferred from theinitial mechanical tool 10 (source mechanical tool 10) to thereplacement mechanical tool 10 (destination mechanical tool 10). Withprevious systems, it might take up to, or more than, 45 minutes in somecases to copy settings from a failed tool to a replacement tool by usingcomputer based software or manual entry to copy the settings. In someembodiments, an electronic tool may be provided to copy the settingsfrom the source mechanical tool 10 to the destination mechanical tool10, i.e., the replacement tool.

Referring also to FIG. 3, some aspects of a non-limiting example of anelectronic tool 30 are schematically illustrated. Electronic tool 30 isconfigured to interface with a source mechanical tool 10 and with adestination mechanical tool 10. Electronic tool 30 includes a processor32, a memory 34, a graphical user interface 36 in the form of atouchscreen display, and a communications port 38. Processor 32 iscommunicatively coupled to memory 34 and to graphical user interface 36.In some embodiments, some or all of memory 34 may be a part of processor32. Processor 32 and memory 34 are communicatively coupled tocommunications port 38. Communications port 38 is constructed tocommunicatively couple electronic tool 30 to one or more mechanicaltools 10.

Graphical user interface 36 is operative to receive user input, e.g.,via clicks or taps with a human thumb and/or finger or by use of astylus, to copy a plurality of settings from the source mechanical tool10 to the destination mechanical tool 10. In various embodiments,graphical user interface 36 may be a single touch or multi-touchtouchscreen display. In one form, electronic tool 30 is a smart device.One non-limiting example of a smart device is a smart phone, e.g., anAndroid®-based smart phone. In other embodiments, electronic tool 30 maybe another type of smart phone, a smart tablet, another commerciallyavailable processor-based device, or a dedicated electronic tool that isconstructed to perform the reading and writing disclosed herein. Someembodiments may also be constructed to perform the cancel and/or factoryor other reset procedures disclosed herein.

In one form, an app 40 (application, e.g., a software application) isinstalled onto electronic tool 30 in order to copy the settings from onemechanical tool 10 to another mechanical tool 10. App 40 may be storedin a suitable memory, e.g., in memory 34. App 40 may be downloaded ontoelectronic tool 30 by various means, including wirelessly, e.g., from anon-transitory computer readable storage medium readable by a processorand storing program instructions executable on a processor such asprocessor 32 to copy a plurality of settings from a one mechanical tool10 to another mechanical tool 10 using electronic tool 30. In someembodiments, memory 34 may be a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium readable by processor 32 and storing program instructionsexecutable on processor 32 to copy a plurality of settings from a firstmechanical tool 10 to a second mechanical tool 10 using electronic tool30.

For example, in some embodiments, smart app 40 may be developed forsmart devices, such as smart phone & tablet devices, to copy thesettings from the source mechanical tool 10 to the destinationmechanical tool 10. A user may use app 40 to copy all the appropriatesettings from the source mechanical tool 10 to the destinationmechanical tool 10, so that the replacement mechanical tool 10 willfunction the same as the original mechanical tool 10. Although describedherein as copying the requisite settings from a failed mechanical tool10 to a replacement mechanical tool 10, it will be understood thatelectronic tool 30 may be used to copy the settings from any desiredmechanical tool 10 to any other one or more desired mechanical tools 10.By using the app 40 to copy settings, e.g., as opposed to manual entry,the likelihood of human error is reduced. In one form, the smart phoneor tablet device does not need to have phone service or Wi-Ficonnectivity, but rather may connect with the mechanical tools 10 via awired connection, such as a serial USB cable, or a wireless connection,such as Bluetooth or near-field communication, or other wireless orwired communication protocols. In other embodiments, Wi-Fi or wirelesscommunication protocols may be employed to copy (or write) the settings.In some embodiments, app 40 may generate a simple-to-follow singlescreen that may be used to read the settings from the source mechanicaltool 10, e.g., within a few seconds, and may be used to write the samedata to the destination mechanical tool 10, e.g., within 30 seconds. Insome embodiments, the entire copying process may take under a minute,including physical connection and disconnection of the USB cable by theuser. In some embodiments, the process may require as few as one or twoclicks or taps on the smart device's graphical user interfacetouchscreen 36 in order to copy the settings from the source mechanicaltool 10 and write the settings to the destination mechanical tool 10.

In some embodiments, electronic tool 30 is on-the-go (OTG) USBcompatible. In some embodiments, e.g., where electronic tool 30 is asmart phone or smart tablet, USB OTG capability may be verified, forexample, by use of a separate app, e.g., a free app.

Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, in order to copy a plurality ofsettings from the source mechanical tool 10 to a destination mechanicaltool 10, the user launches app 40. The source mechanical tool 10 may becommunicatively coupled to electronic tool 30, for example, tocommunications port 38, e.g., before or after launching app 40. Forexample, in some embodiments, communications port 38 of electronic tool30 may have a micro-USB connector, whereas communications port 18 ofmechanical tool 10 may have a mini-USB connector. Thus, a convertercable or series of cables having a micro-USB connector at one end, e.g.,the USB OTG end, and a mini-USB connector at the other end may be usedto communicatively couple mechanical tool 10 to electronic tool 30. Oneor more other converter cables may be employed to convert between thetype of connector associated with communications port 38 of electronictool 30 and with the type of connector associated with communicationsport 18 of mechanical tool 10. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 5, aconnector cable 42 that converts from a micro-USB connector to a USBconnector is used in conjunction with a connector cable 44 that convertsfrom a USB connector to a mini-USB connector to communicatively couplemechanical tool 10 to electronic tool 30. In other embodiments, a singleconverter cable may be employed. In some embodiments, app 40 isconstructed to automatically recognize the mechanical tool 10 and theestablished connection with mechanical tool 10 when the user connectsthe electronic tool 30 to the mechanical tool 10, e.g., before, duringor after launch of app 40.

When app 40 is launched to copy the settings, in some embodiments, asingle simple-to-use screen 46 is generated by app 40 and displayed onthe graphical user interface touchscreen 36. In other embodiments,multiple screens may be employed. App 40 generates a plurality ofbuttons on screen 46. One such button is a read button 48, e.g., a “ReadSettings” button 48. In addition, a write button 50 (e.g., a “WriteSettings” button 50); and a cancel button 52 (e.g., a “Cancel” button52) as also generated by app 40 on screen 46 displayed on the graphicaluser interface (touchscreen) 36. In some embodiments, a factory resetbutton 54 (e.g., a “Factory Reset” button 54) may be generated by app 40on screen 46 displayed on the graphical user interface (touchscreen) 36.In other embodiments, app 40 may generate any number of suitable buttonson any number of screens displayed on graphical user interface(touchscreen) 36.

When the read button is engaged, i.e., when the read button is pressed,tapped, clicked, or the like, e.g., with a human finger and/or thumb, orwith a stylus or other contrivance, the read button is operative toinitiate the process of reading a plurality of settings from theconnected mechanical tool 10, e.g., the source mechanical tool 10, usingelectronic tool 30. The reading process is executed by app 40. In someembodiments, once the read button 48 is engaged, read button 48 issubsequently disabled, preventing the user from attempting to start aread process while an existing read process is proceeding. Similarly, insome embodiments, the write button 50 is disabled during the readprocess. The cancel button 52 is enabled during the read process,allowing the user to cancel the ongoing read process by engaging thecancel button. That is, engagement of the cancel button is operative toterminate reading (or writing) of the plurality of settings whenengaged. In some embodiments, the factory reset button is disabledduring the read process, e.g., but enabled after completion of the readprocess.

During the reading process, app 40 acquires desired settings from sourcemechanical tool 10 via the USB connection (e.g., via communication port18, cables 42, 44 and communications port 38). The settings read by app40/electronic tool 30 include wireless communication parameters/datafrom source mechanical tool 10. After reading the wireless communicationparameters/data from source mechanical tool 10, app 40 disables thewireless communication feature of source mechanical tool 10. Thisprevents the source mechanical tool 10 and the subsequently writtendestination mechanical tool 10 from having the same wireless settings.Not doing so may result in both the source mechanical tool 10 anddestination mechanical tool 10 having the same wireless settings. Forexample, identical communication settings on 2 wireless devices mayresult in communication failure with gateway 28 if both devices aresimultaneously powered on. Thus, disabling the wireless communication onthe source mechanical tool 10 will ensure that once the parameters havebeen copied to the destination mechanical tool 10, only the destinationmechanical tool 10 will communicate with the wireless gateway 28.

The settings or parameters that are selected for copying from the sourcemechanical tool 10 to the destination mechanical tool 10 may vary withthe needs of the application. In some embodiments, all parameters exceptthe MAC address, e.g., the radio MAC address, are copied from the sourcemechanical tool 10 to the destination mechanical tool 10. This allowsthe MAC address to be kept unique to each mechanical tool 10 controllerhardware. In some embodiments, the copying operation is independent ofthe mechanical tool 10 firmware version. In some embodiments, thecopying may include copying the tool firmware and system generated datafrom the source mechanical tool 10 to the destination mechanical tool10.

Once the plurality of settings are read from the source mechanical tool10, the read button is disabled, unless the user engages the cancelbutton 52. After the plurality of settings are read from the sourcemechanical tool 10, the plurality of settings is stored in electronictool 30, e.g., in in memory 34. In other embodiments, the plurality ofsettings may also or alternatively be stored in another location, e.g.,another memory. The user or operator then disconnects the sourcemechanical tool 10 from electronic tool 30, and connects the mini-USBcable to the destination mechanical tool 10, thus communicativelycoupling destination mechanical tool 10 to electronic tool 30. App 40establishes communication with destination mechanical tool 10 anddetermines if the destination mechanical tool 10 is of the same model asthe source mechanical tool 10. If so, write button 50 and cancel button52 are enabled, allowing the user to engage the write button 50 totransmit all the parameters to the destination tool, or to engage cancelbutton 52 to cancel the process, i.e., to terminate a read or writeprocess. In some embodiments, the destination mechanical tool 10 may notbe the same model as the source mechanical tool 10. In some embodiments,reset button 54, e.g., a factory reset button is also enabled, whichwhen engaged changes the plurality of settings to factory settings,e.g., except certain settings, such as the MAC address. The factorysettings may be stored in, for example, in memory 34.

When the write button 50 is engaged, i.e., when the write button 50 ispressed, tapped, clicked, or the like, e.g., with a human finger and/orthumb, or with a stylus or other contrivance, the write button 50 isoperative to initiate the process of writing the plurality of settingsto the connected mechanical tool 10, e.g., the destination mechanicaltool 10, using electronic tool 30. The writing process is executed byapp 40. In some embodiments, once the write button 50 is engaged, readbutton 48 is subsequently disabled, preventing the user from attemptingto start a read process while an existing write process is proceeding.Similarly, in some embodiments, write button 50 is disabled during theread process. The cancel button 52 may be enabled during the writeprocess, allowing the user to cancel the ongoing write process. In someembodiments, the factory reset button may be disabled during the writeprocess.

During the writing process, app 40 acquires the desired plurality ofsettings from the memory in which they were saved, for example andwithout limitation, memory 34 of electronic tool 30, in which thedesired settings were saved, and writes the plurality of settings intodestination mechanical tool 10, e.g., into memory 20 of destinationmechanical tool 10, for example, by transmitting the plurality ofsettings from electronic tool 30 via communications port 38 and viacables 42 and 44 to communication port 18 of destination mechanical tool10. The settings written by app 40/electronic tool 30 onto destinationmechanical tool 10 may include wireless communication parameters/datafrom source mechanical tool 10 so that destination mechanical tool 10may communicate with wireless gateway 28. After writing the wirelesscommunication parameters/data to destination mechanical tool 10, app 40enables the wireless communication feature of destination mechanicaltool 10 so that wireless communications may be performed.

Referring also to FIG. 6, some aspects of a non-limiting example ofnavigation/process flow for a method for copying settings from onemechanical tool to another in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated in a navigation/process diagram 98. Atblock 100, app 40 is launched. Source mechanical tool 10 is coupled toelectronic tool 30. Process flow proceeds to block 102, where readbutton 48 is enabled; and write button 50 and cancel button 52 aredisabled. In FIG. 6, read button 48 is indicated as “B1,” write button50 is indicated as “B2,” and cancel button 52 is indicated as “B3.” Inthe illustration of FIG. 6, factory reset button 54 is not depicted.

If at block 102, read button 48 is engaged, process flow proceeds toblock 104, and the process of reading is initiated. At block 104, readbutton 48 is disabled, and cancel button 52 is enabled. If cancel button52 is engaged at block 104, process flow proceeds back to block 102.Otherwise process flow proceeds to block 106, and the plurality ofsettings is read from source mechanical tool 10. At block 106, readbutton 48 is disabled; and write button 50 and cancel button 52 areenabled. Source mechanical tool 10 is disconnected from electronic tool30, and destination mechanical tool 10 is coupled to electronic tool 30.If cancel button 52 is selected at block 106, process flow proceeds backto block 102. If write button 50 is selected at block 106, the processof writing the plurality of settings to destination tool 10 isinitiated, and process flow proceeds to block 108. At block 108, readbutton 48 and write button 50 are disabled; and cancel button 52 isenabled. If at block 108 the cancel button 52 is engaged, process flowproceeds back to block 102. If the at block 108 the cancel button 52 isnot engaged, the write process is completed, and the plurality ofsettings have now been written to destination mechanical tool 10.Process flow then proceeds back to block 102. If at any point during theprocess an error is generated, the error is displayed in graphical userinterface 36 at block 110, and process flow then returns to block 102.

Referring also to FIG. 7, some aspects of a non-limiting example of ahigh level functional block design diagram of electronic tool 30 areillustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Functional blocks include a file system internal storage 334, an app UIor application user interface 336, an application state machine 402, atool message encoder 404, a tool message parser 406, a USBCdcManager(USB communication device class manager) 408, and a USBdevice (USBdevice) 338.

File system internal storage 334 represents, for example, memory 34. AppUI 336 represents graphical user interface 36. In some embodiments, appUI 336 block may be responsible for user interaction. App UI 336 maymake use of structured layout objects and UI (user interface) controlsand build the graphical user interface to the app 40. App UI 336 mayinvoke the functionality to read/write settings based on the useraction, and in some embodiments to cancel read/write operations or toinitiate a factory reset.

The application state machine 402 block is a portion of app 40, and mayimplement the business logic for the app 40. The application statemachine 402 may be responsible for implementing the state machine 402 toread/write the configuration, general setting and wireless settingsfrom/to the mechanical tools 10 over the USB communication, e.g.,communications port 38.

The copy operation may include the Location ID of the destinationmechanical tool 10 being same as the Location ID of the sourcemechanical tool 10. In addition, the copy operation may include the MACID of the destination mechanical tool 10 remaining unchanged. Forexample, by reading the MAC address of the destination mechanical tool10 and setting it appropriately in the data buffer, before the page iswritten to the destination mechanical tool 10, the MAC ID of thedestination mechanical tool 10 may remain unchanged.

File system internal storage 334 is the internal storage system ofelectronic tool 30, e.g., memory 34. The configuration, general settingand wireless settings read from the source mechanical tool 10 may besaved in persistent application data, e.g., in file system internalstorage 334. File system internal storage 334 block may store thesettings data (the plurality of settings) on the device internal memory(e.g., memory 34) as a binary file containing the bytes received fromthe source mechanical tool 10. When a destination mechanical tool 10 isconnected, the bytes may be read from the binary file and transmittedover USB connection.

Tool Message Encoder 404 is a part of app 40. Tool Message Encoder 404may create tool-system commands or messages from read/write commands,with a tool message header as required by the relevant specification forthe specific mechanical tool 10 configuration. The tool messages willhave headers for location ID, message type, the message/command andchecksum.

Tool Message parser 406 is a part of app 40. Tool Message parser 406 maybe responsible for parsing the response of commands from the mechanicaltool 10. Tool Message parser 406 may verify the checksum and decode thetool system messages headers for location ID, message type and messagedata.

USBCdcManger 408 may use the UsbManager of a smartphone (e.g., Android)OS (operating system) or other OS of electronic tool 30 to request USBservices, e.g., USB communications via USB device 338, e.g.,communications port 38. USBCdcManger 408 may be responsible forenumeration of the USB Interfaces, setting the USB communicationparameters and attach/detach notifications. The UsbDevice classrepresents a USB device attached to the electronic tool 30 with theelectronic tool 30 acting as the USB host. In the event there is noresponse from mechanical tool 10 to a command for, e.g., 1 second, theelectronic tool 30 will retry, e.g., 2 more times to get a response. Thelength of time to wait for a response and the number of retries may varywith the needs of the application. If the mechanical tool 10 does notrespond after a predetermined number of commands, e.g., 3 commands, anappropriate error message will be displayed to the user, e.g., using appUI 336/graphical user interface 36.

Referring also to FIG. 8, some aspects of a non-limiting example of asequence diagram 500 for reading a plurality of settings from amechanical tool using an electronic tool are illustrated in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. One skilled in the artwould appreciate that the sequence diagram of FIG. 8 demonstrates one ofmany potential sequences that may be employed to read a plurality ofsettings from a mechanical tool 10 using electronic tool 30.

Referring also to FIG. 9, some aspects of a non-limiting example of asequence diagram 600 for writing a plurality of settings to a mechanicaltool using an electronic tool are illustrated in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. One skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the sequence diagram of FIG. 9 demonstrates one of manypotential sequences that may be employed to write a plurality ofsettings to a mechanical tool 10 using electronic tool 30.

Referring also to FIG. 10, some aspects of a non-limiting example of asequence diagram 700 for resetting a plurality of settings in amechanical tool to a factory setting using an electronic tool areillustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.One skilled in the art would appreciate that the sequence diagram ofFIG. 10 demonstrates one of many potential sequences that may beemployed to reset a plurality of settings in a mechanical tool 10 to afactory setting(s) using electronic tool 30. The factory setting(s) maybe stored in, for example, memory 34, memory 20 or any memory/storagedevice accessible by app 40 and electronic tool 20.

Embodiments of the present invention include a method for copying aplurality of settings from a first mechanical tool to a secondmechanical tool, comprising: providing an electronic tool configured tointerface with the first mechanical tool and the second mechanical tool;reading the plurality of settings from the first mechanical tool usingthe electronic tool; and writing the plurality of settings to the secondmechanical tool using the electronic tool.

In a refinement, the method further comprises: communicatively couplingthe electronic tool to the first mechanical tool prior to reading theplurality of settings from the first mechanical tool; andcommunicatively coupled the electronic tool to the second mechanicaltool prior to writing the plurality of settings to the second mechanicaltool

In another refinement, the electronic tool is a smart phone.

In yet another refinement, the method further comprises storing theplurality of settings in the electronic tool after reading the pluralityof settings from the first mechanical tool.

In still another refinement, the method further comprises providing agraphical user interface on the electronic tool, wherein the graphicaluser interface includes a read button and a write button, wherein theread button is operative, when engaged, to initiate the reading theplurality of settings from the first mechanical tool; and wherein thewrite button is operative, when engaged, to initiate the writing theplurality of settings to the second mechanical tool.

In yet still another refinement, the graphical user interface furtherincludes a cancel button operative, when engaged, to terminate thereading or the writing.

In a further refinement, the graphical user interface further includes areset button, wherein the reset button is operative, when engaged, tochange the plurality of settings to factory settings.

Embodiments of the present invention include an electronic tool forcopying a plurality of settings from a first mechanical tool to a secondmechanical tool, comprising: a smart device having a processor, andhaving a non-transitory memory storing program instructions executableon the processor, wherein the program instructions are configured, whenexecuted on the processor, to: read the plurality of settings from thefirst mechanical tool; and write the plurality of settings to the secondmechanical tool.

In a refinement, the electronic tool includes a port constructed forcommunicatively coupling to the electronic tool to the first mechanicaltool and/or to the second mechanical tool.

In another refinement, the electronic tool further comprises a connectorcable constructed to communicatively couple the port to the firstmechanical tool and/or to the second mechanical tool.

In yet another refinement, the first and second mechanical tools eachhave a first communications port, wherein the electronic tool includes asecond communications port constructed for communicatively coupling tothe electronic tool to the first mechanical tool and/or to the secondmechanical tool via the first communications ports.

In still another refinement, the program instructions are configured to,when executed on the processor, store the plurality of settings in thememory after reading the plurality of settings from the first mechanicaltool.

In yet still another refinement, the electronic tool includes agraphical user interface, and wherein the program instructions areconfigured to, when executed on the processor, generate a read buttonand a write button on the graphical user interface; wherein the readbutton is operative to initiate reading the plurality of settings fromthe first mechanical tool; and wherein the write button is operative toinitiate writing the plurality of settings to the second mechanicaltool.

In a further refinement, the program instructions are configured to,when executed on the processor, generate a cancel button on thegraphical user interface; and wherein the cancel button is operative toterminate reading or writing of the plurality of settings when engaged.

In a yet further refinement, the program instructions are configured to,when executed on the processor, generate a reset button on the graphicaluser interface, wherein the reset button is operative to change theplurality of settings on the first mechanical tool and/or the secondmechanical tool to factory settings when engaged.

Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus, comprising: anon-transitory computer readable storage medium readable by a processorand storing program instructions executable on the processor to copy aplurality of settings from a first mechanical tool to a secondmechanical tool using an electronic tool, including to: read theplurality of settings from the first mechanical tool using theelectronic tool; and write the plurality of settings to the secondmechanical tool using the electronic tool.

In a refinement, the non-transitory computer readable storage mediumstores program instructions executable on the processor to store theplurality of settings in the electronic tool after reading the pluralityof settings from the first mechanical tool.

In another refinement, the non-transitory computer readable storagemedium stores program instructions executable on the processor to:generate a plurality of user interface buttons on a graphical userinterface, wherein the buttons include a read button and a write button,wherein engagement of the read button is operative to said read theplurality of settings from the first mechanical tool; and whereinengagement of the write button is operative to said write the pluralityof settings to the second mechanical tool.

In yet another refinement, the plurality of buttons includes a cancelbutton, wherein engaging the cancel button is operative to cancel saidread or said write.

In still another refinement, the plurality of buttons includes a resetbutton, wherein the reset button, wherein engaging the reset button isoperative to change the plurality of settings to factory settings forthe first mechanical tool and/or for the second mechanical tool.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood thatwhile the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or morepreferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature sodescribed may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary andembodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope ofthe invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. Inreading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,”“at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intentionto limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to thecontrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “aportion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire itemunless specifically stated to the contrary.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,”“supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly andencompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, andcouplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted tophysical or mechanical connections or couplings.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic tool for copying a plurality ofoperational settings from a first motorized mechanical tool andtransferring the plurality of operational settings to a second motorizedmechanical tool, the first motorized mechanical tool and the secondmotorized mechanical tool each having a plurality of operationalcharacterisitics, the electronic tool comprising: a processor; and anon-transitory memory storing a program instructions executable by theprocessor, wherein the program instructions are configured, whenexecuted by the processor, to: establish communication with the firstmotorized mechanical tool; read a first plurality of settings from thefirst motorized mechanical tool, the first plurality of settingsincluding at least one of a predefined speed value or a predefinedtorque value for the first motorized mechanical tool; store the firstplurality of settings for the first motorized mechanical tool in thenon-transitory memory; disable communications between the electronictool and the first motorized mechanical tool; establish communicationwith the second motorized mechanical tool; verify the second motorizedmechanical tool as compatible with the at least one of the predefinedspeed value or the predefined torque value for the first motorizedmechanical tool based upon a plurality of operational characteristicsassociated with the second motorized mechanical tool; and write, uponverification of model compatibility of the second motorized mechanicaltool, a second plurality of settings to the second motorized mechanicaltool, the second plurality of settings including the at least one of thepredefined speed value or the predefined torque value and otherapplicable operational settings of the first plurality of settings toduplicate a plurality of operational characteristics of the firstmotorized mechanical tool at the second motorized mechanical tool. 2.The electronic tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and secondmotorized mechanical tools each comprise a first communications port,and wherein the electronic tool comprises a second communications portconfigured to communicatively couple the electronic tool to the firstmotorized mechanical tool and/or to the second motorized mechanical toolvia at least one of the first communications ports.
 3. The electronictool as recited in claim 1, further comprising a user interface, whereinthe program instructions are configured to, when executed by theprocessor, provide a read button and a write button on the userinterface; wherein the read button is operable to initiate reading ofthe first plurality of settings from the first motorized mechanicaltool; and wherein the write button is operable to initiate writing ofthe the second plurality of settings to the second motorized mechanicaltool.
 4. The electronic tool as recited in claim 3, wherein the programinstructions are further configured to, when executed by the processor,provide a cancel button on the user interface; and wherein the cancelbutton is operable to terminate reading or writing of the firstplurality of settings or the second plurality of settings.
 5. Theelectronic tool at recited in claim 4, wherein the program instructionsare further configured to, when executed by the processor, provide areset button on the user interface, and wherein the reset button isoperable to change the first plurality of settings on the firstmotorized mechanical tool or the second plurality of settings on thesecond motorized mechanical tool to a respective previous setting. 6.The electronic tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the first pluralityof settings includes a unique identifier associated with the firstmotorized mechanical tool for facilitating communication between theelectronic tool and the first motorized mechanical tool, and wherein theprogram instructions include program instructions to not store theunique identifier associated with the first motorized mechanical tool.7. The electronic tool as recited in claim 6, wherein the uniqueidentifier is a media access control (MAC) address.
 8. The electronictool as recited in claim 1, wherein the program instructions configuredto disable communications between the electronic tool and the firstmotorized mechanical tool includes program instructions to disablecommunications of the first motorized mechanical tool.
 9. An apparatusfor copying a plurality of operational settings from a first motorizedmechanical tool and transferring the plurality of operational settingsto a second motorized mechanical tool, the first motorized mechanicaltool and the second motorized mechanical tool each having a plurality ofoperational characteristics, the apparatus comprising: a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium readable by a processor and storingprogram instructions executable on the processor, the programinstructions configured to: cause an electronic tool to establishcommunication with the first motorized mechanical tool; cause theelectronic tool to read a first plurality of settings from the firstmotorized mechanical tool, the first plurality of settings including atleast one of a predefined speed value or a predefined torque value forthe first motorized mechanical tool; cause the electronic tool to storethe first plurality of settings for the first motorized mechanical toolin the non-transitory memory; cause the electronic tool to disablecommunications between the electronic tool and the first motorizedmechanical tool; cause the electronic tool to establish communicationwith the second motorized mechanical tool; cause the electronic tool toverify the second motorized mechanical tool as compatible with the atleast one of the predefined speed value or the predefined torque valuefor the first motorized mechanical tool based upon a plurality ofoperational characteristics associated with the second motorizedmechanical tool; and cause the electronic tool to write, uponverification of model compatibility of the second motorized mechanicaltool, a second plurality of settings to the second motorized mechanicaltool, the second plurality of settings including the at least one of thepredefined speed value or the predefined torque value and otherapplicable operational settings of the first plurality of settings toduplicate a plurality of operational characteristics of the firstmotorized mechanical tool at the second motorized mechanical tool. 10.The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the program of instructionsis executable by the processor to cause the electronic tool to provide aplurality of user interface buttons on a user interface of theelectronic tool, wherein the user interface buttons include at least aread button and a write button, the read button operable to cause theelectronic tool to read the first plurality of settings from the firstmotorized mechanical tool and the write button is operable to cause theelectronic tool to write the second plurality of settings to the secondmotorized mechanical tool.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10,wherein the plurality of interface buttons further includes a cancelbutton, the cancel button operable to cause the electronic tool tocancel reading of the first plurality of settings from the firstmotorized mechanical tool and/or writing of the second plurality ofsettings to the second motorized mechanical tool.
 12. The apparatus asrecited in claim 11, wherein the plurality of interface buttons furtherincludes a reset button, the reset button operable to cause theelectronic tool to change the first plurality of settings on the firstmotorized mechanical tool and/or the second motorized mechanical tool toa respective previous setting.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 9,wherein the electronic tool comprises a smart phone.
 14. The apparatusas recited in claim 9, wherein the first plurality of settings includesa unique identifier associated with the first motorized mechanical toolfor facilitating communication between the electronic tool and the firstmotorized mechanical tool, and wherein the program instructions includeprogram instructions to cause the electronic tool to not store theunique identifier associated with the first motorized mechanical tool.15. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the programinstructions configured to cause the electronic tool to disablecommunications between the electronic tool and the first motorizedmechanical tool includes program instructions to cause the electronictool to disable communications of the first motorized mechanical tool.16. A method for copying a plurality of operation settings from a firstmotorized mechanical tool and transferring the plurality of operationalsettings to a second mechanical tool, the first motorized mechanical andthe second motorized mechanical tool each having a plurality ofoperational characteristics, the method comprising: establishingcommunication with the first motorized mechanical tool; reading a firstplurality of settings from the first motorized mechanical tool, thefirst plurality of settings including at least one of a predefined speedvalue or a predefined torque value for the first motorized mechanicaltool; storing the first plurality of settings for the first motorizedmechanical tool in a non-transitory memory; disabling communicationfeatures of the first motorized mechanical tool; establishingcommunication with the second motorized mechanical tool; verifying thesecond motorized mechanical tool as compatible with the at least one ofthe predefined speed value or the predefined torque value for the firstmotorized mechanical tool based upon a plurality of operationalcharacteristics associated with the second motorized mechanical tool;and writing, upon verification of model compatibility of the secondmotorized mechanical tool, a second plurality of settings to the secondmotorized mechanical tool, the second plurality of settings includingthe at least one of the predefined speed value or the predefined torquevalue and other applicable operational settings of the first pluralityof settings to duplicate a plurality of operational characteristics ofthe first motorized mechanical tool at the second motorized mechanicaltool.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising causinga user interface to display a plurality of user interface buttons,wherein the user interface buttons include at least a read button and awrite button, the read button operable to cause the electronic tool toread the first plurality of settings from the first motorized mechanicaltool and the write button is operable to cause the electronic tool towrite the second plurality of settings to the second motorizedmechanical tool.
 18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein theplurality of interface buttons further includes a cancel button, thecancel button operable to cause the electronic tool to cancel reading ofthe first plurality of settings from the first motorized mechanical tooland/or writing of the second plurality of settings to the secondmotorized mechanical tool.
 19. The method as recited in claim 18,wherein the plurality of interface buttons further includes a resetbutton, the reset button operable to cause the electronic tool to changethe first plurality of settings on the first motorized mechanical tooland/or the second plurality of settings on the second motorizedmechanical tool to a respective previous setting.
 20. The method asrecited in claim 19, wherein the user interface comprises the display ofa smart phone.